This is an economical, wireless mesh networking solution, one that's ideal for SMBs with limited IT resources. It's simple to deploy and administer, though the simplicity comes at the price of some speed.

Ruckus Wireless' latest Wi-Fi mesh solutions are the Ruckus ZoneFlex 7300 Series Wireless N Access points. There are two models: I tested the dual-band 7363 ($599, list) and there's also a single-band (2.4 GHz) 7343 (MSRP $499). The ZoneFlex 7363 AP makes Wi-Fi mesh networking (when networked with Ruckus' ZoneDirector controller) a delight to set up. The new models emphasize ease of setup over extreme speeds; the result is hassle-free, acceptably speedy, and a very good choice for small to medium businesses.

The secret to the simplicity is that the technology does everything for you. Whether you use the 7363 as a stand-alone AP or as part of a mesh network controlled by the ZoneDirector ($1,200 list), the APs use auto-mitigation to connect to the wireless channel with the least interference. Even the radio band gets auto-negotiated to cater to the 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz wireless adapters in your network.

While all this auto-configuration is great, there has been a noticeable performance decrease on some of our more rigorous throughput testing benchmarks as compared to the performance of the ZoneFlex 7942 AP ($1,200 direct, ) from Ruckus. The only difference is that with the 7942 and ZoneDirector 1000, it was easier to manually configure the Wi-Fi LAN to operate strictly at either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz. Although it's difficult to definitely assign the performance differences to the auto-configuration capabilities, the fact is we saw higher throughput when isolating the WLAN to 5 GHz manually rather than letting the APs autonegotiate the radio band.

While there is a workaround for isolating traffic to the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz band, these devices are really designed for auto-configuration of the network, making it easy for those not familiar with wireless mesh networking to set it up. Despite the decreases, I still got laudable, if not blazing, bandwidth speeds.

Design
The ZoneFlex 7363 has Ruckus' praiseworthy integrated smart antenna array, which supports dynamic beamforming. This patented antenna design supports multiple signal pathsthese APs literally take the path of least resistance, creating a stronger Wi-Fi connection. The devices switch paths on the fly to respond to changing conditions. For a more in-depth discussion of Ruckus' approach to antennas, see our review of the ZoneFlex 7942 ($1,200 direct, ).

The 7363 has 10/100/1000 Ethernet connectivity. It supports both AC power and Power over Ethernet (PoE). The fact that you have the choice of power connectivity is more convenient than with Meraki's Enterprise Wireless Lan ($799 direct, ). Meraki's APs are only powered by PoE; you have to have a PoE switch, or you must purchase Meraki's PoE injectors.

Those familiar with Ruckus' AP design will notice that these new APs don't have the usual dome-shaped housing that has been Ruckus' signature style. Instead, these APs are flat and rectangular; actually making them easier to mount and flush against a wall. The new design is more convenient and less obtrusive.Next: Setup and Performance

Samara Lynn has nearly twenty years experience in Information Technology; most recently as IT Director at a major New York City healthcare facility. She has a Bachelor's degree from Brooklyn College, several technology certifications, and...

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